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INSIDE: HYDROPONICSGARDENINGDESSERTS DINING

April 6th - May 6th, 2011

LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE

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PO BOX 2324CORVALLIS, OR 97339EMAIL: shayne.m.m@gmail.com541-234-7022

PUBLISHER - SHAYNE MORGANSALES MANAGER - TOM WRIGHTCONTRIBUTING WRITERS: SHAYNE MORGAN, TOM WRIGHT, SCOTT YOUNG, DARREN MORGAN

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When you walk in the door of this shop, you immediately notice an astounding variety of products that are so interesting and unusual that your mind starts compiling a list of questions about them. That is actually a good thing for the local store manager, Kelly Candell. What he likes best about his profession is talking to people about his passion, gardening, all day long. Not only does he enjoy chatting about this, but he appreciates constantly learning new things from customers. The variety of different products in this store is mind boggling. They like to have everything the home gardener could need in stock. Reid Rodgers, who started the Corvallis store three and a half years ago, and has since moved to Portland to open a branch up there says, “If it’s not here, you probably don’t need it, or it’s on a truck on the way here.” Although they do specialize in having every available organic gardening product, they also stock all the non-organic products in order to make this a one-stop gardening supply store.     This was one of the first satellite outlets of the original store, started in Santa Cruz, California. The company is now known as Gardening Unlimited, and has ten locations. Two in Oregon, seven in California and one in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. Of course, they have their own online superstore, Ehydroponics.com.

Their goal is to have the best possible service and selection in the area. They live by this policy: We beat anyone’s prices, even on the internet. You could easily spend an afternoon browsing the store and never run out of things you had to ask questions about to satisfy your curiosity. The array of indoor garden lighting products, hydroponic growing equipment, and organic soil amendments is extensive, but is just the beginning. Gadgets for indoor and outdoor gardening, that you have never seen or heard of, much less understand, pop out at you from every shelf. Corvallis, with it’s diverse population of people interested in organic foods and gardening proved to be an ideal location for a store with this specialization. I talked to university student customer in the store who was buying things to help get his his mom’s gardens going for the season. They had just transplanted a six-foot tall blueberry bush, and he was making sure they were giving it the proper nutrition to get the roots re-established. Like me, he saw at least a dozen things he was so curious about, he had to ask questions. Unless you are just too shy to talk to the expert staff here, you won’t leave without having learned a whole lot more than you expected when you wandered in. A visit to Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics is both fun and enlightening.

CORVALLIS HYDROPONICS & ORGANICS

Tired of the rain? Get your indoor garden going with a trip to Corvallis Hydroponics. Their located at 5490 Philomath Blvd. in Corvallis. They also have a Portland location.

5490 Philomath Blvd. Corvallis - 541-738-2820

WHERE IS IT?

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Staff - Foraging damage by deer, rab-bits, voles and other garden pests is most noticeable in early spring, particularly as new plant shoots break through the cold earth and reach for the warmth of the sun. Now is the time to prepare your garden against these hungry herbivores. When they’ve found a food source, they will return to it, time and time again.

Once animals are attracted to an area and begin feeding, it is more difficult to discourage them from returning. Deer, in particular, are creatures of habit. Their noses will lead them to return to areas where food is tasty, abundant and safe to forage. Deer have good memories and they learn from each other. When one deer is continually turned away from an area, other deer will be reluctant to enter that area as well.

Deer and other pesky garden visitors use their noses to alert them to nearby danger. Disrupt their sense of security and you’ve achieved the primary factor for turning them away. Research, conducted by the USDA Animal Wildlife Research Center in Olympia, Wash., has proven that odor-based repellents are more effective than other repellent systems, where the animal needs to taste treated plants before being repelled. Studies investigating trends in efficacy of deer repellents indicate that, of the 20 products tested, repellents with

active ingredients that emitted sulfurous odors, i.e., bloodmeal or egg solids, gener-ally provided the best results.

Gardeners eager to get those results in their garden have some good options, even if they are concerned about keeping their plots and beds organic. Tree World Plant Care Products, for instance, offers Plantskydd (pronounced “plant-skid”), an Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI)-certified organic repellent that deters deer, rabbits, voles and other small pests. Originally developed in Sweden and now made in the United States, it was the first animal repellent to be listed by OMRI as “safe for organic food production.” “It repels by emitting an odor that browsing animals associate with predator activity -

stimulating a fear-based response that will have garden feeders looking for some-where else to dine,” says Claude Boisvert, president of Tree World.

Remember - foraging animals are crea-tures of habit. That’s why it’s important to act now to prevent browsing damage throughout spring and summer. Breaking their pattern by applying a repellent to your garden and landscape will deter them from your backyard all season long.

Tree World Plant Care Products makes a full line of repellents that are available na-tionwide at lawn and garden and hardware stores. For more information, visit www.plantskydd.com.

TAKING EARLY STEPS CAN HELP PREVENT GARDEN PESTS THROUGH-OUT THE GROWING SEASON

OUTDOORS REPORT

Staff - Every homeowner dreams of that perfect lawn, but the fact is maintaining a green and lush carpet of grass takes some work. One of the easiest ways to keep up the appearance of your lawn is to mow it in a way that promotes optimal lawn health. In fact, mowing frequently is one of the best ways to maintain the health of your lawn according to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Ideally, you should own a mower that allows you to mow frequently and efficiently. If you have a smaller yard, a walk-ing mower may do the trick, especially if you can get the job done in a half hour or less. If you measure your lawn in acres, as opposed to square feet, a riding mower is probably more appropriate. But most people have a lawn that fits somewhere in between, in which case, there’s another option. Cross mowers are smaller riding mow-ers that are designed for yards up to one acre. With a compact design, these mow-ers offer increased maneuverability, as well as easy storage. Among the compa-nies offering cross mowers is Weed Eater, which features a SmartCut model. Whether now is the time to rightsize your mower or not, here are some other mowing tips to keep your lawn looking good all year:

* Keep your blade sharp. A dull blade can damage your grass, hampering healthy and even growth. Mower blades should typically be sharpened once at the begin-ning of spring and once in the summer. Examining your grass after you mow can help determine whether your blade is producing a clean and even cut.

* Spread clippings evenly throughout your yard. Grass clippings are your best form

of fertilizer - and they’re free. Throughout the year, your clippings will provide the equivalent of one or two applications of fertilizer, according to the Natural Re-sources Conservation Service.

If your mower discharges clippings to the side, mow the outer edge so clippings are thrown toward the middle of your yard, and as you move toward the center, change your direction so they are thrown outward. Sweeping any clippings that end-ed up on your driveway or sidewalks back onto the lawn both promotes the health of your lawn and prevents them from enter-ing local waterways - grass clippings can contribute to toxic levels of phosphorus in lakes and rivers.

* Don’t mow in the same direction every time. Mowing in different directions will prevent your grass from becoming matted down and instead keep it growing upward, where it can receive the most sunlight.

* Cut your grass between 2 and 3 inches. Keeping it longer than 2 inches can help prevent weeds from receiving the neces-sary sunlight to take hold. It also can prevent scorching during warm and dry weather. For optimal growth and regenera-tion, never remove more than one third of your lawn’s length during one mowing session.

* Mow only when your grass is dry. Mowing when your yard is wet can cause your mower to leave tracks. It can also cause your discarded clippings to clump together, providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can cause disease in your grass.

MOWING TIPS THAT WILL KEEP YOUR LAWN LOOKING GOOD ALL YEAR

Staff - Outside birds are singing and bits of green are popping up all around. As seasons change from winter to spring, the gardener’s mind quickly leaps to growing flowers and produce. Before getting out there and planting, follow these basic garden preparations to get the most out of this growing season.

Journal:ScottsMiracle-Gro gardening expert Ashton Ritchie strongly recommends that every gardener keep a “garden journal.” “My wife and I keep a garden journal so we know what we planted, when we planted and harvested, what problems we had to treat, what we used and how well it worked,” he says. “We start each growing season by reviewing last year’s journal.”

In fact, many successful gardeners, like Ashton, take notes or keep journals. It can be as easy as taping seed packets into a small notebook or sketching out where the tulip bulbs are planted. Keeping track of gardening experiences can simplify the gardening process, and will be an invaluable reference in the future.

Garden design: Whether planting a new garden or bringing life to an old one -- a smart design is key. Light, water and space requirements vary from plant to plant - and region to region. Therefore, a well designed lay-out for a garden can make the difference between a bountiful harvest and withering leaves.

From fancy landscaping software programs to simple charcoal sketches, creating a garden layout is a great way to plan the optimal design. A few measurements of the space and observations of the amount of sunlight or moisture will prove helpful in the planning process. Consider what the garden will look like from all angles to maximize enjoyment. In addition, seed packets, garden books, potting labels and nursery experts are always great resources on a plant’s growing requirements.

Plant selection:Varieties of plants available in today’s market are virtually endless. That is why seed catalogs are a priceless tool for any gardener. Leafing through these resources can make plant selection easy and fun. With a garden design and journal from last year in hand, it will be a cinch to narrow down the choices for this year’s garden. A successful gardener doesn’t have to grow all their plants from seed. Most nurseries offer a wide range of small herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers to transplant directly into the garden. However, starting plants from seed does provide more variety, is usually less expensive and can grow plants that are more disease

resistant. Selecting plants native to your region attracts wildlife and makes your garden a living visual experience.

Soil amendment:Native soils and top-soils are not all created equal. Most will need a little boost to become fertile garden soil. A 3-inch layer of high-quality garden soil, such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Garden Soil, can be tilled into native soil to improve existing soil, add organic matter and help plants build strong roots.

Amending soil will allow gardeners to grow beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetables naturally. Compost is another great source of organic matter for the garden. Create a compost bin and add leaves, lawn clippings, kitchen scraps, potting soil from last year’s containers and any other garden waste. Turn or aerate the pile once a month, and by next summer all that former yard waste will be nice organic material for your garden, and keep the refuse out of landfills.

Feeding, watering and weeds:Once the garden is planted, feeding, watering and weeding are essential to the growth and survival of flowers and vegetables. Fortunately, you can prevent weeds and feed plants for up to three months with Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer when placed onto soil before laying mulch. Even with proper feeding, a garden should still be monitored daily for water needs, depending on the amount of rain, sunlight and temperatures it receives.

Mulch:Mulch is an often overlooked cousin of garden soil. Many believe mulch to be a strictly decorative item, but most gardeners know its true value. High-quality mulches like Scotts Nature Scapes Advanced look great while also helping conserve water and naturally preventing weeds by blocking growth and restricting access to sunlight. Mulch should be used around the base of plants and in beds, but can also be used to create pathways through a garden, making harvesting and watering easier. Don’t forget that containers also benefit from a nice 2-inch layer of mulch.

With just a little planning, and a few easy preparations before the growing season, gardeners can reap the rewards come harvest time, and enjoy the beauty of the garden all season long.

GARDEN PREP 101: GETTING READY FOR PLANTING SEASON

SALEM — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists warns Oregonians not to buy red-eared sliders, nonnative invasive turtles which are illegal in the state. Red-eared sliders, named for the red “ear” (markings) on the side of their heads, are offered for sale on Internet sites, by street vendors and in some pet stores.

“This time of year, we seem to see more illegal turtles for sale, although it’s a year round problem,” said Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator. “We are especially concerned about small turtles that are sold as pets for children and commonly carry the bacteria salmonella on their skin and shells.”

Turtles less than four inches in shell length are banned from sale and distribution by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to protect infants, young children, pregnant women and others. Under Oregon Department of Agriculture rules, it is illegal to import turtles less than four inches into Oregon.

If you are in possession of a red-eared slider, contact your local ODFW office for advice. Never release a nonnative turtle into the wild; it hurts both native habitat and species.

Red-eared sliders are native to the East Coast of the United States. In Oregon, they compete with native turtles for food and habitat, especially nesting and basking sites, and can spread diseases to which the state’s native turtles have no immunity.

Oregon has only two native turtles: the western painted and the western pond, both are listed on the state sensitive species list and highlighted in the Oregon Conservation Strategy as species in need of help. They are both protected by law; it is illegal to take them from the wild and to keep them as pets.

“All in all, turtles do not make good pets,” said Boatner.” Native turtles are protected and belong in the wild, and many nonnative turtles are illegal and have to be kept out of the wild.”

TURTLE ALERT: IN OREGON RED-EARED SLIDERS ARE ILLEGAL TO BUY, SELL OR POSSESS

Newport — Hazing of double-crested cormorants that eat juvenile salmon and steelhead on their migration from freshwater rivers to the sea will begin on April 1 in Tillamook and Nehalem bays.

Tillamook Bay operations will be conducted from April 1 through May 31 by the North Coast Salmon and Steelhead Enhancement Fund to protect the hatchery and wild coho and winter steelhead that are migrating through the estuaries. Data collection work on how harassment affects the distribution and behavior of cormorants will be conducted through Tillamook County.

Nehalem Bay operations will be conducted by the Port of Nehalem from April 1 through April 30. In both locations, a boat or jet ski will be used to push cormorants to the lower bays where the birds can feed on a greater diversity of prey items.

Hazing of cormorants consists of disturbing the birds, scaring them without harming them, with swift-moving watercraft and is conducted under the direction of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff.

Fish Species Status

Coastal Coho salmon that use streams and rivers from the Necanicum River in the north to the Sixes River in the south are federally listed as a threatened

species. Nehalem River and Tillamook estuary basin Coho are state sensitive species. Winter steelhead of the Nehalem River and Tillamook estuary basin are state sensitive species.

Research

A data collection project to identify potential avian predation hotspots will take place on the Coquille estuary from March 19 through April 30 under a contract with the Port of Bandon. Hotspots of avian predation occur where fish are grouped, such as during the out migration of hatchery fish, attracting aggregations of predators.

In addition to hazing efforts, ODFW and partners are exploring options for research and monitoring of fish-eating birds in relation to their impact on vulnerable fish runs, looking for long-term solutions. However, management of avian predators on fish populations is complex and requires balancing the needs of competing species within the guidelines of federal laws that include the Endangered Species and the Migratory Bird Treaty acts.

The double-crested cormorant is a water bird found near inland waterways as well as on the coast. They fish by swimming and diving and nest in trees, cliffs and on the ground on predator-free islands. Cormorants are protected by international treaty and federal law.

Photo OSU/RTL/USGS (Oregon State University, Real Time Research, US Geological Survey).

HAZING OF BIRDS IN TILLAMOOK AND NEHALEM BAYS TO PROTECT MIGRATING JUVENILE SALMON AND STEELHEAD BEGINS APRIL 1

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Article By TOM WRIGHT

Brewsters Restaurant, across Hickory Street from the North Albany Shopping Center, up the lane beside the Chevron station, is one of the newest restaurants in town. They have steadily built up a big following of local diners by consistently offering the best food in town. Their immaculate building has several dining areas to choose from offering a choice of ambience including patio seating when weather allows. All are casual and relaxed. The perfect place for a family get-together, a pleasant dinner for two, or a business lunch. The owner, Stacey Hovelsrud, recently started offering Prime Rib on the menu for Friday and Saturday nights. I have travelled extensively and really like Prime Rib. After I had finished my dinner there last Saturday night, I simply had to congratulate Stacey personally on the very best Prime Rib I have ever had. It was so tender, delicious, and perfectly seasoned that it set a new standard of excellence in my mind. It came served on a deep dish, swimming in au jus with a side of creamed horseradish. Mashed potato and vegetables were served on a separate plate.

Philomath – With generous support from the Sampler Consortium, Benton County Museum presents “Samplers International: A world of needlework”, showcasing historical and contemporary samplers from United States, Mexico, England, Scotland, France, and Scandinavia that were stitched between 1747 and 2011.

“Samplers International” may be viewed in the 2,400 square foot Moreland Auditorium at the Benton County Museum from March 11, 2011 – April 30, 2011. On display are more than seventy unique needlework samplers, on loan from museums and individuals across the United States. Most of the samplers have never before been exhibited. A printed catalog and web page at bentoncountymuseum.org will document the exhibition.

Historic schoolgirl samplers are from the collections of the Benton County Museum, Bush House Museum, Seaside Museum, Lynne Anderson, Nancy Tonkin, Be Davison Herrera, Queenstown Sampler Designs, and other members of

the Sampler Consortium. Contemporary samplers were stitched by Walter Frankel, Kimberly Hart, Freda Merrick Herendeen, Be Davison Herrera, Judy Juntunen, Kristen McHuron-Guss, Leone Bowman Nicholson, Susan Patterson, Judith Roberts, Karen Skjei, Joyce Skogen, Frances Stilwell, Amelia Tolonen, Freda Vars, and Merrie Ziady.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 – 4:30. Admission is always free!

Enjoy a visit to Oregon’s past AND present! Located six miles west of Corvallis on Hwy 20/34, at 1101 Main Street, Philomath, Oregon, the Benton County Historical Society operates the Museum facilities for the preservation of history and culture. Its goal is to preserve the material culture of Benton County, Oregon. It strives to enrich people’s lives through interesting exhibitions and educational programs.

Please call (541) 929-6230 for more information or visit www.bentoncountymuseum.org.

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Brewster’s has always set itself apart with such novelties as freshly cooked, home made style, potato chips and dip brought to your table as soon as you sit down. They have a Grilled Shrimp Skewers appetizer with a spicy sweet glaze that is delicious and so generous it can be shared with a table of four, or would be a full meal for one person. Served with their own special rice pilaf, that is my mother’s favorite meal there. Other interesting appetizers on the menu include a great Hummus Plate and Mini Brewster’s Cordon Blue. The dinner menu offers the full range of meat, seafood and poultry items, as well as five classic pasta dishes. Several full meal salads, such as Grilled Steak and Blue Salad round out the choices. For lunch, they have six different signature sandwiches along with four types of hamburgers. No lack of choices, no matter what time you choose to visit here. The bar is a great place to stop in for drinks with friends in a comfortable, welcoming and friendly atmosphere and has happy hour pricing from 3 PM to 6 PM. Stacey is dead serious about offering the best food in town and invites you to come in and find out for yourself. If you are a beef lover, I am dead serious about the fact that she serves the best Prime Rib anywhere.They are open seven days a week from 11 am. Enjoy!

SAMPLERS INTERNATIONAL: A WORLD OF NEEDLEWORK

No property is too small to enjoy growing your own fresh and healthy produce. A small plot of land, a raised bed, or a container or two allow vegetable gardening in any sunny location. For the small garden, whether in native soil or in a raised bed, forget the tradition of planting in rows. Utilize all of your available ground by planting in dense blocks or patches, allowing only as much space as each plant needs to develop. Large plants such as squash or melons require several square feet each, but have such tremendous yields that they are still great choices. Much smaller plants such as bush peas or carrots can be planted very densely, giving huge returns from very little space. Grow high-yielding beans on trellis supports along any edge or corner. Any small opening can become the home of a few leaf crops such as lettuce or pac choi. Many vegetables are also suitable for container gardens. A large pot can support a single tomato plant, or several

cucumbers; or make it into a miniature garden with a teepee of beans sheltering a planting of lettuce or spinach. A smaller pot can contain a single pepper, or several pea, radish, or carrot plants. Whatever your choice of vegetables, provide them with appropriate soil, fertilizer, and care to increase production. Your local garden center can provide you with a comprehensive supply of high quality organic potting soils, soil improvements, and fertilizers to help your garden thrive. Water as needed – usually not every day, but at least a couple of times a week. Remember that container gardens will need water a little more frequently than plants in raised beds or native soils, so pay a little closer attention. In containers, if the soil is dry at one knuckle depth, it’s time to water. Keep an eye out for the occasional weed or pest problem, and very soon you will be enjoying your own fresh, organic produce.

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Come check out our featured product, hCG the miracle weight loss program--Lose 30 lbs in 30 days! New Life Nutrition of Albany invites you to stop by for a free consultation about how hGC can help you loose 30 lbs in 30 days. This miracle weight loss program working with your specific blood type to quickly burn body fat while curbing your appetite. your appetite. To find out more about HGC, visit New Life Nutrition in the old City Hall in Down-town Albany, across from Two Rivers Market.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Jacopetti’s Catering has been serving up delightful and memorable meals for events in our area for the past ten years. That is how long Debbie Burks has been running the business with the help of her husband, Ron and her mother, Barbara. Once again the very finest in products and services is provided by a family owned and operated business. Since it is our paper’s intent to feature stories about the best locally owned businesses in our area, I have been running into this situation more often than not. There is something about family pride that translates into the highest quality almost every time. Debbie offers extensive menu choices for catered events including breakfast, lunch and dinner. The secret to maintaining her high quality standards is a vast array of recipes that originated as their own homemade family favorites. By using only the finest and freshest ingredients, she is able to produce those same delicious entrees and side dishes in quantities to serve up to three hundred people. They never take the easy route. All ingredients are chopped by hand and assembled with care. Her signature Oriental Chicken Salad is one of her favorite examples of the culinary masterpieces she delivers to make an appealing visual presentation followed by a gastronomic taste treat you won’t soon forget. On the day I visited her kitchen, Debbie, Ron and Barbara were preparing seventy continental breakfasts and box lunches for a class being offered at the Linn County Courthouse. The sandwiches were prepared using home made bread. I got to watch Barbara preparing her own delightful scones with fruit that you can get at a limited number of local outlets. Rhythm and Brews on 3rd Street in downtown Albany recommends them

to their customers and they are absolutely delicious. Debbie takes pride in the fact that every year, they are one of only four catering services that earn the right to cater events at the Linn County Fairgrounds. The application and selection process is rigorous and only the best are selected. They stay pretty busy all year long, since most of the local businesses have come to depend on them for quality food and service for their gatherings. Business increase for lots of summer weddings, and raises to a feverish pitch around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. If you would like to enjoy her fare at your holiday event, be sure to make your reservation early. They keep all their menus and information posted at their website, www.jacopettis.com. You can check things out there and you will see that I am not exaggerating the vast selection. Debbie is always happy to make adjustments for your personal taste. Everything is made special for you, so it is no problem to add or leave out any particular ingredients you might need adjusted due to special tastes or dietary concerns. I love to cook, and it was a lot of fun meeting the family and getting to experience first hand the love and care they put into the food and watch the obvious enjoyment they take in working together as a family and preparing the most beautiful, delicious and memorable catered treats in the valley. Home cooking, for the whole crew. What could be better?

How Often Should I Work Out?

As a professional fitness trainer I get this question daily. People’s body condition and stature are different in many ways so there are no standard answers but here are the basics: First of all we need to understand correct body mechanics and the connection between your mind and the muscle group you are intending to work. “Mind to muscle neuro-connection.” This is where you start. Without this knowledge the risk factor greatly increases the possibility of damaging joints and even tearing muscles or ligaments. A professional trainer can help here. After you have learned the ability to work a muscle or muscle group correctly then you are ready to start your program. Reps (repetitions) are the number of times you make a complete movement. Sets are the number of times you repeat a “set” of reps. If you are trying to lose weight and tone up you’ll want to perform between twelve and sixteen reps in proper body mechanics. When you become Ph. 541-926-9660, email:

Debbie@Jacopettis.com www.Jacopettis.com

Article by TOM WRIGHT

JACOPETTI’S CATERS MEMORABLE MEALS

fatigued and can’t continue with correct body mechanics....stop, you will have exhausted the muscle or muscle group you are working on. If you can reach sixteen without severe fatigue then adding weight is next. After your body gets used to one set then start doing 2 sets and so on. If you are working more then one muscle group in a workout you should do up to three sets. There are many varieties of training; using more weight, less weight, more reps and less reps, giving you many different results. Remember, your body will adapt to whatever you are doing so you must change your routine at least every six weeks. Don’t forget about your cardio health. We should perform some type of cardio exercise a minimum of three times a week to maintain a strong heart and cardiovascular system.For any questions or help please feel free to contact me. Scott Young Professional Fitness Trainer 541-961-3617 or scott@oceanmail.us Snap Fitness Albany, Oregon 97321

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NEW EATSIn the last issue I discussed

how common household cleaners can be damaging to our health. And I gave recipes on how to make non-toxic cleaners instead. In this issue I want to highlight the benefits of house plants and surprisingly the positive effects they have on our health and living environment.

House Plants do more than just brighten up a room with color and living energy. Along with being pleasing to the eye, they bring real health benefits to our bodies. Plants and the microbe at their roots can, by their normal photosynthetic process, absorb pollutants and make our homes less toxic. They can remove a variety of toxic air emissions including ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, xylene and trichloroethylene. Not only do house plants help to clean our air they also: make us feel calmer and more optimistic, help fight fatigue and colds (partially by increasing humidity levels and decreasing dust), and enhance creativity and increase productivity.

*The Mother Fern, one of the best at purifying the air, is a very popular houseplant because it is easy to care for, thrives in indirect light and with little moisture, and is very attractive.

Plants good for removing toxins from Formaldehyde include:

Bamboo Palm—can grow 3-6 feet, requires bright indirect light, keep soil moist and be sure to empty drip tray to avoid root rotDevils Ivy (also known as Golden Pothos)—prefers bright indirect light sunlight but does well in lower light areas, let dry out between watering (this plant is toxic to children and pets)Philodendrons—prefer medium light, will tolerate low light, keep soil evenly moist and allow soil to dry between watering, mist the plant leaves periodically to keep the pores in the leaves from becoming plugged with dust.Snake Plant—moderate light, will tolerate low light, water every 7-10 days allow soil to dry thoroughly in between wateringSpider Plant—natural light, not direct light sunlight, water weekly and never soak the soil, chemicals in water can cause plant’s leaves to turn brown at the tip if this happens use distilled or filtered water.

Plants good for removing Benzene include:

Peace Lilly—Prefers bright filtered light, but will survive in lower interior lightChinese Evergreens—Moderate to low light, keep soil slightly dry

Plants good for removing Trichloroethylene include:

Dracaena Marginata—Full sun to low light keeps soil moist, dryer in the winter seasonGerbera Daisy—6 or more hours of direct sunlight, soil should be evenly moist but allowed to slightly dry between watering.

So why not get a house plant what have you got to lose? And remember-the healthier the plant, the more purifying it will be!

Top 9 Air Purifying PlantsThe following plants are most effective in removing potentially harmful chemicals-including those in paints, varnishes, dry cleaning fluids, car exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke-from the air in your home.

• Dragon tree

• Ivy

• Ficus

• Philodendrons

• Spider plants

• Peace lilies

• Ferns

• Chrysanthemums

• Palms

Limeberry just opened in SW Albany. They feature self-serve yogurt available in 13 flavors and 36 tasty toppings to choose from.

Jacopetti’s Catering has been serving up delightful and memorable meals for events in our area for the past ten years. Book your Wedding or other special event with Jacopettis by calling 541-926-9660. Find them online atwww.Jacopettis.com.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HOUSE PLANTS

Co-Owner of Limeberry Wayne Ensey shows diners the number of options available for self-serve yogurt.

SHOP LOCAL. DINE LOCAL. SUPPORT LOCAL.

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